Saint Catherine of Siena - a Woman's Genius (1347-1380)
St. Catherine of Siena was born on March 25, 1347, in Siena. She was the 24th child of Lapa Piaquenti and Giacomo di Benincasa, a cloth dyer from Siena. At the age of 7 (in 1354), she vowed to keep her virginity. For this reason, a little later she got into a conflict with her mother, who wanted her to marry. After three years of struggle, against the wishes of her parents, in 1363 she joined the Sisters of Penance of St. Dominika (Dominican Tertiary) and after taking her perpetual vows, she led a monastic life there, helping lepers. Here she experienced one of the most painful sufferings in her life - she was accused of an immoral lifestyle. In 1374, she was summoned to the Inquisition tribunal in Florence, which examined her writings and teachings - the reason was because of doubts as to whether the woman had the right to instruct popes and kings. The trial showed her innocence and thus the Saint could continue her mission. It consisted in writing letters to the powerful of this world: popes, cardinals, bishops, kings and many eminent persons of her contemporaries.
Catherine wrote in the name of Christ, called for penance and conversion, to listen to the Word of God. She felt empowered to do so. In 1367 she experienced a mystical marriage and from then on, she was aware of the constant presence of Christ in her heart. This unlearned and illiterate daughter of a dyer, she dictated her letters urging the popes to return from Avignon to Rome. In these letters she was extremely determined and zealous - she gave advice and directions. When her pleas and admonitions were unsuccessful, she went personally to Avignon to meet the Pope. Categorically and at the same time very humbly, she asked the Pope to go where Christ indicated.
When Gregory XI finally decided to return to Rome in 1377, it was considered the merit of St. Catherine of Siena. The unfortunate election of Urban VI caused schism in the Church. The saint went to the Vatican every day to pray for an end to the schism and for the unity of the Church. Exhausted, she passed away on April 29, 1380.
St. Catherine was canonized on June 26, 1461, by Pope Pius II. In 1866, Pope Pius IX proclaimed her the patron saint of Rome, and Pius XI in 1939 the patron saint of Italy. On October 1, 1999, John Paul II announced the Saint as a co-patron of Europe. Relics of St. Catherine rest in the Roman Church of the Dominican Fathers of Santa Maria Minerva.
Spirituality St. Catherine of Siena
Her spiritual legacy includes 389 letters, the outstanding mystical work "Dialogue" - that is, a conversation with God and 26 prayers. The richness of her mystical experiences is reflected in the Dialogue on Divine Providence - a fundamental work of Catholic mysticism, dictated by Catherine in the years 1377-1378, which largely influenced her awarding the title of doctor of the Church. In this work the author, wanting to know the truth, conducts a "conversation" with God. Catherine's personal "conversation" with God is a signpost for every person who wishes to return to God. Individual treatises of this work contain a request to which Catherine receives a widely reasoned answer. St. Catherine deals with the issue of human perfection, the knowledge of Jesus Christ and the theology of spirituality. In addition, Catherine discusses problems of an ecclesial nature, emphasizing the need for obedience.
According to St. Catherine, a man who wants to find God should first get to know himself, recognize his dependence on the Creator and his human miserable condition. Such knowledge is a source of the love of virtue and an incentive to break with sin. Thanks to this knowledge, man knows himself as an "icon" of God, and even as His temples. This kind of discovery of God in one's own soul introduces man to the mystical path and focuses attention on the crucified Christ, which is, in a way, a "bridge" - a chance for salvation for every sinner. On the right path is the one who, having freed himself from sin, felt the closeness of God and wishes to follow what is spiritual. Such a person should go from the Savior's wounded feet to His pierced side, from which blood and water flowed.
Looking from the perspective of this side, man should be aware of the need to be identified with Christ in order to be able to suffer with him. For this reason, prayer, especially meditation, is of special importance, as it leads to a deeper knowledge of God. A person who submits himself to God's action is capable of a closer relationship with him. The state of the deepest union with God gives man a sense of happiness, but also sadness, because he becomes like the crucified Christ. Catherine ends her work with a hymn of praise to the Holy Trinity, which she calls "the deep sea” and " fire "always burning.
St. Catherine was in everything the beloved daughter of St. Dominic. Her devotion to Christ was especially concentrated on the Precious Blood, poured out for the salvation of humankind. At the same time, she was an admirer of the Holy Trinity. Like St. Dominic she was a contemplative apostle. Due to her filial love for the Vicar of Christ and fidelity to the Church, Catherine of Siena is called the daughter and mother of the Church.
John Paul II said about her: Like Mary, who completely trusted in God’s action, Catherine also developed in her "a Woman's Genius"
Until Tomorrow
fr. george